Hazel Sophia Smith

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our Mom, Hazel Smith at the age of 94.  She left feeling the loving presence of her four children and their spouses. She was predeceased by our Dad, Reverend David Smith on December 22, 2017.

Hazel was born in  Saskatoon on January 16, 1928.  She spent her early years growing up on a farm in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. After attending Brandon University Mom was accepted to Ewart College in Toronto to begin her training as a Deaconess for the Presbyterian Church in Canada.  During this time, she moved to Montreal to study the Mandarin language in which she became fluent.

Hazel’s parents told her about a lovely summer student Minister and shared a photo of him. When she returned to Toronto and was riding a streetcar, she recognized the student Minister from the photo, our Dad!  Their love story began and so did their ministry together in Ottawa, Neepawa, Vancouver and Victoria.  They made an amazing team!

Mom was recognized for her life long work with the Woman’s Missionary Society (WMS) of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

When Dad and Mom retired, they moved to Sidney and finally to Parksville. After Dad passed away Mom moved to the Chemainus Health Care Centre - Long Term Care.

Hazel is survived by her children, Heather (Stuart), David (Marilyn), Ian (Bonnie), and Mary-Lou (Sue); her ten grandchildren, Ricky, Cody (Nicole), Brittany, Jared (Natasha), David, Matthew (Andrea), Christopher (Alicia), Brandon, Stephanie, Tyler; her nine great grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

Thank you to the Nursing staff at Chemainus Health Centre for their love and care of our Mom and to Lorna her visiting companion, who always lifted Mom’s spirits through her sharing of Hymns and Scripture.

Internment Service to be held at St Columba Presbyterian Church, Parksville BC Tuesday August 30th 2022 at 2:30pm. Outdoor tea to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can made to: Presbyterian.ca/donate/donate-to-womans-missionary-society/